Winter Wonderland
We drove through the Winter Wonderland in Vernon Hills tonight. It wasn't quite what I expected, and we waited over an hour in line to get in, but the girls seemed to like it.
The Details
Winter Wonderland is a Christmas light show done in collaboration with the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens and the Village of Vernon Hills. It runs from November 25th through December 31st, 6pm to 10pm nightly. I would recommend going Monday-Thursday as the cost is only $5 per car. Friday, Saturday or Sunday will cost you $10 per car. They are closed Christmas Eve and Day, but open New Year's Eve.
The Experience
Outside of going on the more expensive night (and waiting in line for more than an hour) the experience was good overall. My only real regret is that there was no snow on the ground. I'm sure the lights really dazzle with a fresh white backdrop to glisten against.
There were so many people tonight and only a single person taking money which resulted in a long delay to get in. Just getting from the main road to the entrance took 35 or 40 minutes. Once on the entrance road I was a little under-whelmed. The entrance road was lined with cartoon characters and lighted archways. Needless to say I couldn't accept this as the 'light show' we had come to see. Once we finally got up to the pay station it became clear that the light show was yet to come. At this point I would say that my expectations were met. As mentioned above, my only wish is that there had been a soft, snowy background for the lights to shine against. There is also an in-house radio station, playing Christmas music and the occasional announcement/welcome to the show message. The station had some static which surprised us. Every so often the Christmas song would be interrupted with a basketball play.
The Final Word
I would take our family back again this year, but only on a $5 week night and only when there was sufficient snow on the ground to justify seeing the show in a new light, pun definitely intended.